Gambling Dollars Possible For New Vikings Stadium

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — If only the Vikings had this kind of staying power on the field.

A Minnesota Vikings stadium bill that was on life support 24 hours ago is alive again, and lawmakers are now gunning for the end zone. Again.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton met privately with the Republican stadium supporters this morning, just 24 hours after he accused top GOP leaders of walking away from the Vikings.

“I’m an old hockey goalie,” said Dayton. “After a tough night you just put the pads on the next day and go to work again.”

The Republican Senate author of the stadium bill, Senator Julie Rosen of Fairmont, promised what she called a “very good” stadium bill “very soon.”

“We are going to get a bill out,” said Rosen, flanked by Gov. Dayton and Democratic lawmakers.

Rosen said the new Vikings push will include public hearings, and a special session before the New Year.

“Before Thanksgiving? That’s not gonna happen,” she said, hoping for a December “action” month. “We need more time to get the bill together if we are going to do it right.”

The funding focus now: Gambling revenues, including electronic pull tabs and slot machines at race tracks. A casino is also still a possibility for revenue.

Republicans said they’ll go where the most votes are.

“I frankly don’t think we can put a deal together unless there’s gaming revenues that’s a part of it,” said Rep. Morris Lanning, a Republican from Moorhead, the House author of the stadium bill.

One more unusual twist in a day of Vikings twists and turns: The Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers, the most powerful politician at the legislature, was not part of the stadium meetings on Thursday.

And on WCCO Radio, he said again he is not in favor of a special session for the Vikings.

Pat Kessler knows Minnesota politics. He's been on the beat longer than any other TV reporter in the Twin Cities, covering state government, politics, campaigns and conventions since 1984. Pat "pulls back the curtain" on what's happening in...

One Comment

All this posturing to create an aura of urgency by the politicians turns my stomach. I find it hard to believe that building a stadium is worth it for Minnesota. 10 games a year folks!! That’s it!! Maybe a playoff appearance once every 5 years or so. The only ones that profit from this are the restaurants.

You are obviously not a somebody that has traditions with loved ones that is related around Vikings football. Families and friends all over the state come together on Sundays to watch the Vikings and have for years. Families and friends go to Vikings games together to make memories that they will never forget. Look past the money and fincial complications that come from a stadium. How much money would you pay for your greatest family traditions?? The implications of not having a NFL team in this state will impact MUCH MUCH more than just the restaurants. I hope WE will never see how much exactly it will impact. Go Vikings.

The vikings bring in $9.1million dollars from visitors visiting our fair city EVERY GAME. That equates to $72.8million dollars off the regular season alone. This also doesn’t include Sales tax off vikings merchandise or ticket sales. Anyone with simple algebra skills can quickly figure out the state will receive a return on their invest in a few short years(and we haven’t even discussed other events that could be held at the facility) Maybe you should do some research on the subject before you get on the internet and start calling people names, tough guy.

Yeah, because vikings fans are going to still travel here to see the vikings who are out in LA, right? The figure I put up is from VISITORS who travel here solely to see games. That revenue is from Hotel, car rentals, etc. People from every state around travel here to go to games. I can’t tell how many people from other states I’ve spoken with while at the games. Yes people still travel here for other purposes, but that money i spoke of will be gone, football fans are not going to continue to travel here to see the timberwolves or go to a play.

Way more people visit theaters, and art galleries than they attend Vikings games.
Isn’t it nice that some families can sit in front of their televisions watching the Vikings while others worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Guthrie annual attendance = nearly 500,000 Vikings annual game attendance = nearly 650,000(not including events that take place there the other 355 days of the year) Placing guilt on people who can derive pleasure from their lives seems kind of petty. I know the world sucks but why would you try to make people feel guilty for watching a football game? You could always be out organizing a food drive rather than complaining on the internet. Be proactive rather than reactive if it bothers you that much. Life is all about attitude. I’m happy that we live in a great state that can provide places such as the guthrie for those that like plays, a stadium for those that like baseball, galleries for art enthusiasts, and places for basketball, hockey, and football. I personally attend everyone of the things I just listed. I work hard for my money and chose to spend it on activities within our community so my money does just that, it stays in the community for the most part. I moved here from out of state to attend college, and love the fact that minneapolis has so much to offer so I never left many years ago. I hope this gets passed so myself and generations to come can continue to enjoy football and have a sense of pride for this state and community. I’m also part of a food drive this weekend. Our goal is to raise over 500lbs of food for local food banks. I for one do not feel guilty about deriving pleasure from watching or attending football games.

Sounds like you should practice what you preach. If the Vikings go, the city would lose out on a great dal of money, not only from the people attending the games and the additional revenue that would bring in, but the income generated by taxes alone would be extremely substantial. If you don’t like them, then but out.

No study exists that shows spending money on a stadium pays back the investment. The money spent on attending gaammes wouls be spent elsewhere. Nothing new comes from a stadium Try researching the subject before you babble. To pay for the 600000 million from taxes generatedd by income and sales taxes per mn post (a prostadium article) there wouldd have to be a 7million dollar a game in sales taxable items, 70000 seat stadium thats 100 per person average.

Even if the Vikings move from Minnesota nothing is stopping you form going to see a game. You can travel to where the new stadium is and go see it live there, and save me a bunch of money in the process.

i’ve said it before, how will it impact the kids of Minnesota, ND, SD, Nebraska, Iowa, and even alot in Wisconsin who play football and watch and idolize the Minnesota Vikings? How would they feel if the team left? they would be heartbroken! I’m sure the lawmakers have kids or are related to kids or know kids who live in their neighborhoods who love the Vikings. Maybe they should look at it like that instead of playing the political card

ya Idolize these convicted felons ? Go and take the twins with you ! haven’t been to either one and don’t plan on it. two jobs and a family to feed. If i want to see them they are on the television all the time. mostly whining about something.

Let me guess, you are an uneducated person who blames all your problems on others. A new stadium will not hurt you, your two jobs or your family. If anything it will bring more money to our state, add jobs and entertainment to this state.

So, what other local businesses ask for public money to finance their operations (and I’m NOT talking about non-profit businesses)??? Why shouldn’t General Mills, Medtronic, Target, or Best Buy ask the public for money via a tax increase to expand their business with new stores, bigger headquarters, etc.. After all, they also provide a big benefit to Minnesota (not to mention being successful).
I don’t know what memories you have to cherish ( 0-4 in Super Bowls, whizzinator, boat ride, 12 men in the huddle, take a knee, Herschel Walker trade, etc, etc.). Seems more like what one could see for MUCH cheaper at a comedy club.
Go Vikes….and keep on going, all the way to L.A.!!!

The state has bailed out Daytons before…and NWA a couple of times. The city of Richfield gave Best Buy a TON of concessions to build their campus there. Target got concessions from Mpls to build downtown…need I say more??

You forget that the people will own this venue and it will be a 24/7-365 venue if managed correctly. There are some great economic possibilities for the state and metro ares if this deal is done right. Other cities can bear these points out!

Common Al, if it were another indoor stadium, a lot of other events would be hosted there just like the dome. If the stadium goes through, I don’t see an need for the dome anymore. So where will we have the prep bowls, home and garden shows, and numerous other events? Hmmm…this is a statewide item now, isn’t it? Understand Zygi’s stance on some help now, especially if it will be used by others? Pass the Casino in Block E so it’s not on taxpayers.

SO – we already HAVE the dome. It is ALREADY PAID FOR. The ONLY one looking to build a new stadium is Ziggy. What are you suggesting doing with the dome after the new stadium is build. And what about all of those poor restaurants & hotels down next to the dome … and all of the people who work THERE?

The dome is out of date, it generates nothing for revenue. If you want the vikes to put together a good team you need to increase the franchise’s value, that is the stadium. It will also draw the apeal for higher end players, and not to mention the possibility of having a Super Bowl hosted here again, huge money for the State with that. If there is a new stadium, the dome will probably be sold to a developer, or build at the Dome’s location. Again this is an investment for the State too and again to make money you need to spend money. That is the risk with businesses.

Nate: : “The dome is out of date, it generates nothing for revenue.” When you say this we have to assume you are the administrator for the Dome and keep it’s books. You must be, anyone that would make a comment like that based only on what they hear in the media would be a complete idiot spewing garbage about something they know nothing about. What do you get paid a year for doing the domes books, 300, 400 thousand or more?

Good point. Many events were cancelled when the dome roof was repaired. The state should consider electronic pull tabs at the airport terminals. Extract cash from out of state visitors before they leave the state. A domed stadium is an asset to the state. Putting it in Arden Hills would balance out the recent development that has occurred in the two downtown areas and the south metro.

The income tax revenue for 10 NFL games generates more in a season than an entire year acquired via the rest of working Minnesota. Quit thinking about principle. Communism was built on “principle”. The stadium construction alone will generate 8,000 jobs. The businesses surrounding the stadium will flourish (provided it stays downtown, which it should). This creates revenue and jobs. The NFL is an entertainment PRODUCT. We’re not building it for someone… we’re building it to maintain a viable entity and an identifiable part of MN culture that benefits our economy.

I’m sorry you forgot about out-of-state fans that rent vehicles, hotels, airplane tickets, purchase drinks, souvenirs (ALL MN TAXED), which, YOU AL, are now taking advantage of. Care to raise the unemployment a bit, when those workers are no longer needed on their shift?

Jeez people, it won’t be exclusively for the Vikings!!!!! Every event hosted in the Metrodome will probably migrate there once its built. Not to mention all the additional events it will bring in. Look at the big picture & realize its time to upgrade for the future. The Metrodome had a good lifel time

The stadium would not just be used 10 times a year, d ummy. Other events would be held. Concerts, truck shows, prep sports, final fours, and so on… I support the using of gambling revenues for the stadium. Didn’t you all want “no taxes for stadium”? Now you got it and it can still be built, but, you still complain.

They are going to shove this down our throats one way or another. I don’t know why any of them act like they care what our opinions are. Great plan Dayton, just push this through at any cost to the taxpayers.

It’s scary when people don’t see the economic benefits of a new stadium for the Vikings. I like it here and want to see this community be the best it can be. Can’t be the best if huge economic drivers move somewhere there’s a better public private relationship that is willing to make the commitment.

What economic benefit?
Is this the theorized increase in spending disposable income? Economists have looked at the matter, and are pretty sure that it has, at best, a neutral effect. That disposable income is going to exist whether or not the sports team is in the area. And it is going to be spent whether or not the sports team is in the area. If you can’t go to a Vikings game, you’re going to go to a concert, or out for dinner more often, or to a movie.http://news.illinois.edu/news/04/1117stadiums.html

but what about tourism? there are a large number of out of state fans who come in to games to root for the vikes from surrounding states, or to root for their team against the vikes. they typically stay 2-3 days, and while the guys are at the games, a lot of times the gals are off at MOA or other tourist destinations.

also, with a payroll north of $125M between players, coaches, support personell, etc, there’s a lot of state income tax paid on those salaries just within the organization

and every opponent’s players are subject to MN income taxes on salary they get for the games they play in the metrodome…

Right on Sam. People just don’t understand that the stadium is not a money factory. If the Vikings go away, the money will still be here, short of a few hundred jobs that would go with the Vikings org. People will spend their money elsewhere.

It’s narrow minded morons like “Al” that turn my stomach. He met be related to those other 2 short sighted blinders wearing morons Koch and Zellers.
We could have built something less costly if we hadn’t stretched this out to 10 years. Zellers wants to wait till the next regular see ion so it will cost even more then. Great fiscal thinking!Yes restaurants benefit, along with their staffs, their food and beverage suppliers, etc.

Who cares, it’s America, we have the freedoms to do what we want or pass what we want. Besides they have been raking in the money without paying taxes for years. Don’t give me any of the “we took their land” business either. If it wasn’t us, it would have been another more technologically advanced civilization. If you still don’t agree, than lets give all back right now, and I should see you in the front of the line to leave this country.

@Clark
Who cares? There has been good and bad to the Tribes having the state monopoly on gambling. Now times have change for better or worse and the Native American Casino operators should realize they now are going to have competition.
With that being said, maybe it’s time to change and enjoy the increased business that competition brings.

Who knows maybe the tribes that have casinos might better improve the way they do business with or treat their peoples with the profits etc.. If the PC police stop trying to rewrite history and make faux paux appeasing overtures to the Tribes for problems that happened generations ago then possibly this gambling issue can benefit everybody.

It’s the 21st Century and Americans of all ethnicities, ages, and persuasions must work together to make this nation and state better. If “legalized” gambling is one [short-term or long-term] way to accomplish economic benefit let’s do it. Let’s stop the vitriolic rhetoric and get this state and nation back on track. The same holds true for the new stadium venue.

Let’s not lose the Vikings over arguing over ignorant precepts. Build it and they will come. There is money to made so let’s make the people reap the profits for a better life and state.

Are you referring to the 220 multimillionaires living in Prior Lake? Who cares, they’ve had their metro monopoly long enough. It’s time they competed for the almoghty dollar just like every other business has to.

Since when do we always have to bow to the Native American’s approval for any kind of expanded gambling? Did they invent the “sport”? Yes they do great work and contribute tons of money to worthy causes from their take, but there is room for more action with expansion. We could have had the stadium issue bought and paid for moths and years ago had we not crawled away from the Native American disdain toward any competition.

Maybe there should be a state vote to see how many people want the Vikings here–I’m sure more people want them here than not- Let’s get this done-The Vikings generate more money for the state then anyother sports team-Ziggy has spent the money on players to try and bring a winning team here-unlike our Twins who got a statium and don’t spend jack on and never have the Vikes should’ve got a statium before the Twins and the Gophers

Why don’t all the proud viking fans just donate their money for the new stadium. The rest of us who can’t afford to buy tickets to go, could care less about watching them on tv, and don’t benefit directly from the vikings won’t have to give out our money.

I can’t afford tickets, but I love watching them on TV. So the “rest of us” does not include me. I am all for the stadium. I am one of those people who are unemployed and understand what it is like to be looking for work. It is stressful and not easy to live on unemployment. So if (and hopefully when) they get the big picture and approve the stadium, it can send a lot of people to and back to work. You may not benefit or like football (as some of our legislature appears to as well) but I (and my family) personally do. The stadium will host more than just 10 games. It will hosts concerts, other sports events, and other entertainment and charity events. As for the restaurants and hotels, they will benefit, as well as bring more people in for employment. And to me, some of those restaurant workers are some of the hardest working people out there.

IGreat argument and ‘ll be happy to donate my money to a new stadium just as soon as all the parents in our state start paying for their own kids schooling. I never wanted to have kids, why should I have to pay for someone else’s to go to school, or why should my tax $$$ go towards welfare or …….

Zygi is investing $400 million of his own money so we can have a facility for the whole state to enjoy. Go to any other state and tell them you want to invest $400 million into their community and see what they say.

I wish the Vikings would go, what about all the homeless families who is building them new homes. Why should these rich players and owners get any of our money when we should be helping our own citizens with jobs, homes and food. today on TV I say a spot saying there are more than 190 KIDS homeless in one county, why can’t we help these kids instead of the stupid Vikings and they did not say what race and anything they just said kids.

The homeless thankT-Paw who cut funding every year he was govenor from various programs. Thank the GOP led Legislature who cut more funding this year. Thank the bankers for the foreclosure mess which is probably why some of the kids are now homeless. Thank big business and federal government for allowing jobs to be out sourced overseas and allowing the highest unemployment rates.

Again…People…This stadium is NOT just for the Vikings. When will you people realize that. The Vikings will use the stadium a few days in a year. There will be hundreds of other events at the stadium besides Vikings football. That is why the Vikings should not have to pay for the whole thing. A new stadium will bring more events to MN…events that aren’t here now because the Metrodome is not a place many organizers want to hold their events. A new stadium will create thousands of jobs and help bring a lot of income to the state. Once you people start seeing past the “Vikings” and see what else it will bring to the state, then comment. Your narrow mindedness shows how much you really know about this issue.

The Vikings Owner would build his own stadium if he had ‘hundreds of other events’ that he could rent it to when his football team is not using it. Not sure how 8 football games a year is going to create Thousands of jobs. Certainly not full-time jobs. Guess I just don’t get it.

Thank You! It would create jobs, I am a Project Manager for a Construction Company. This is the time to build, the economy sucks, contractors are hungry for work, therefore you will get lower pricing. Labor, Materials, Equipment, and Fuel only go up, if you delay this longer it’s only going to cost more later. If they leave it will cost huge money to get a team back. It also sparks the economy in Minnesota, by lodging, food, drinks, merchandise, and many other services. These people really are clueless.

And every one of those “thousands of jobs” (yah – right) will come from people alread working at or around the dome. If football were ever to create that many jobs; IT ALREADY WOULD HAVE DONE SO! since we already have an active football team. This means that the net CREATION of jobs is EXACTLY ZERO!

Dude, a bigger Stadium will hole more people, therefore you will need more workers to compensate for that increase. Second, it would generate a lot of jobs to build the stadium. Lastly, the property around the new stadium would sky rocket, new businesses are going to want to come in. Again this is an investment and you have to look to the future. Like any business you either grow or you die, stay as we are we die, period.

Someone will have to work at the stadium all the time. Just like Target Field when the Twins are not there in the winter, they still have people working. I like how everyone did not want Target Field and now they built it everyone loves that place. Let build the Viking a new Stadium before they are leave like the North Stars then we ended up building Excel Energy Center for the Wild.

SKOL!!!! If you don’t want a stadium move to a state that doesn’t have one then!! Football is about more than just $. It is about memories and coming together for a common cause. Thousands of people enjoy going to the games and interacting with one another. If not that, then having gatherings at home. So we should take all of our hard earned money and spend it in other states to go see a football game? Then who loses? Some people don’t like football, I get that. But I don’t like or use certain venues that I have paid for. That is reality. Get over it.

Why should we have to vote on an issue that we elect leaders to figure out? Why do we have legislators if they are just going to have the people vote on difficult/unpopular decisions? Why didn’t I get to vote on my tax dollars funding the Guthrie? I don’t use it, I don’t care blah blah blah. There are so many other ways our tax dollars are spent (far greater amount than the stadium will result in) that we have no say over, why does this issue deserve a vote?

I had season tickets for 5 years in the 90’s when they VIkes were fun to watch They have a stadium. If they don’t like it, put up some frickin $ Ziggy or go to LA. The vikings stink any how. I am so sick of hearing about this! Just go away at this point.

Actually it’s not really a “team” per se, more like a bunch of overpaid men performing a “comedy of errors (and I’m NOT referring to the Shakespeare play). They have this idea that you are supposed to LOSE in the Super Bowl (0-4), make complete fools of yourself (whizzinator, boat ride), choke at the most opportune times (12 men in the huddle, take a knee), and make the BIGGEST business blunder in all of professional sports (Herschel Walker trade).
They are entertaining, but not quite in the capacity they were meant to be.

Fast forward 10 -20 years from now… at some point others will be in charge of government and they might be all about getting a team back to MN (since Viking went ot LA in 2014) the cost will be a least 20X what it would cost now to keep a team here. But the ones in charge do not care. They will get the money by taxing everyone and cutting schools, food stamps, whatever cause they want to get it done. And you will say why did we ever let a team go… look at what this is costing us now….

Yes thinker, look at other cities/states that had to buy a team back, the cost was insane! Opening a state casino would take care of this issue right now.
And it would be a smoke free casino so my wife and I can play slots without getting second hand smoke, which leads to cancer and more health care costs for all!

LOL They are not taking money from schools or food stamps for the stadium. hahaha you are too funny!! They are wanting to build a casino or add a half a cent tax to Ramsey county. For a thinker, you sure are uneducated!

If this is such a great deal for everyone… and we’ve been told that it’s a partnership, we will give the Vikings funding – however, in return we get an ownership stake in the team. That way when Ziggy sells the team – the tax payers can partner in the profits…

First, Kurt Zeller and his way of legislating need to go away. Second, The Vikings are a billion plus dollar business that needs to stay in MN.. Third, Vikings and NFL needs to put more money into the deal. Forth, Arden Hills is the best place. New area, great new ideas. Fifth, This will help the area with jobs that right now we need. This is all my opinion. Thank you.

this is simple – build a casino in block E. no food, no entertainment, just a complete casino. that would draw people to mpls restaurants and entertainment venues all year long. once the stadium is paid off, split the profits between the state and ALL indians in minnesota so they won’t complain that the casino is hurting them. downtown mpls would then be happy that the vikings are in arden hills if they get a year-round casino.

Can’t wait for the Vikings to leave…then Minnesota will suffer and pay the price… First will be tax increase to supplement the revenue brought in from NFL games and Income tax of the players and the team…Second we will have a DFL control legislature because the Republicans will not approved any new staduim (KOCH and KESSLER). Third, we will be the laughing stock of the country because we are the only State that drove our NFL team away.. At least traffic will be less since people will start moving out of this state.. And all the vikings fans will go to the theaters, museums…. not…
Hey, atleast when the Vikings move to LA they will have real fans win or loss, not some jump the band wagon fan (like when Favre was the QB and they were winning). I just feel sorry for those real fans who bleed purple and gold..

There are people trying desperately to hold onto their homes and put food on the table. There are more people below the poverty line today than there were three years ago. We still have an immense budget deficit in the state.

There is no public money available for a new stadium and expanding gaming is only asking for more trouble, not offering a solution.

The solution is Mr. Wilf needs to use his own money and private financing to build his stadium. The state of Minnesota would not be advocating expanding gaming to build more gas stations or fast food restaurants or anything else; there’s no reason to do so for Mr. Wilf.

NO public money, NO additional gaming, NO special session. The Vikings make plenty of money; they can build their own facility!

What about the 7,000-8,000 jobs it will create?People say it’s only temporary employment, but it’s employment NOW !!!!Construction jobless rate is around 22%,this employment offer will help put food on familys plates.Minnesota look at the positive this project will bring to the state.

Hey Vikings Fan… 2012 is election year… Remember Koch and Zeller; word is that Koch is going to run for the seat to be vacated by Bachman…. I don’t like voting democrats since it is automatic increase in spending and tax… Looks like Independent party…..

This is the best plan aside from the Vikings leaving the state: Let Ziggy pay for all the cost and give him serious tax break on the property or team. The only thing is the state will have to pay him to use the facility….

I think the state should build 3 casinos near the mall of america . The infrastruture is there and we can tap out of towners who visit the mall. One casino for general fund, one for schools and one for special projects. If you want to support any of these, then gamble. This would create jobs and revenue. I don’t think the government should be our moral compass for gambling. State ran casinos would benefit all Minnesotans.

I agree, greed has ruined our society. There are far too many people who choose to let others pay their way. They continue to have children they can’t afford and have no desire to take care of. Greed is the demise of our society.

Well, my other responses didn’t go so I’ll shorten things. I used to be a season ticket holder for both FB & BB, then the prices went up and the news told us about more players getting multi-million dollar contracts. I thought, we’re paying them to make more millions, so I quit going, they can to as far as I’m concerned. I don’t fly because the airlines are raking us over the coals and we keep hearing about companies making 200-500% profit per quarter, 1000% + per year so I drive but less, more car pooling now. Peanut Butter went up 40% now so I bought my last jar today. I now take my extra money and buy extra food and donate it to the Food Shelfs where people really need it. The state can take the 400-600 million for the stadium and donate that to people in need, people that lost their homes, jobs, cars etc, not to someone with 5 billion in their bank account. We can make them listen to us with what we spend, we have to, they only laugh at what we speak and then charge us more. It would be nice also if companies would stop making stuff outside of America and then ship it back here for us to buy with money we don’t have because they sent all our jobs to foreign countries…!